Texas Boater Education Certification Exam

How should a vessel's registration number and validation decal be displayed?

C. On both sides of the bow of the boat

What is most important when selecting the right PFD for a passenger?

C. Passenger's body weight and size

What important safety information is found on a boat's capacity plate?

C. Maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely.

What is the best way to find out about hazards on a local waterway?

A. Consult a nautical chart

According to Texas law, which operators are required to have passed an approved boating course in order to operate a PWC without supervision?

C. Operators at least 13 years of age and born on or after September 1, 1993

Which type of PFD will turn most unconscious persons face up in the water?

A. Type I

Everyone on board a vessel should understand basic safety practices. Who is responsible for ensuring this?

A. The vessel operator

Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat?

C. Mounted in an accessible location

When should a life jacket be discarded and replaced?

B. When it is slightly torn

What effect does alcohol have when you are operating a vessel?

D. Increase the likelihood of accidents.

When boating on federally controlled waters in an 18-foot boat, what equipment are you legally required to have on board?

B. US Coast Guard — approved visual distress signals

What sound producing device(s) is required when boating on Texas waters in an 18-foot powerboat?

B. A whistle, horn, or other means to make an efficient signal

What is one part of a regular vessel and engine maintenance program?

B. Checking the oil level before every outing

How should you approach the dock when docking your vessel?

A. Into the wind or current, whichever is stronger

What should you do before fueling your boat?

A. Turn off the engine and open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings

Where should your trailer be located while you prepare to launch your vessel?

C. In the water at the boat ramp

How can propeller strike accidents be avoided?

C. Turn off the engine when passengers are boarding

How can you prevent transporting nuisance species (plants or animals) with your vessel from one waterway to another?

D. Remove any zebra mussels you see before leaving the body of water

What should the vessel operator tell everyone on board before departing?

B. Where to find the PFDs and visual distress signals

What is the main function of an ignition safety switch?

A. To shut off the engine if the operator is thrown overboard

According to the Texas Water Safety Act, how far must you keep your vessel from a diving area marked by a diver-down flag?

A. At least 150 feet

How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed?

D. You have enough time to avoid collision

What is the main purpose of the lateral system of red and green buoys and markers?

B. To provide traffic control devices for commercial vessels

According to Texas boating law, which of these considered legal operation?

D. Operating at a speed that does not endanger others if no speed limit is posted

According to Texas law, who must be on board, in addition to the operator, if the vessel is towing a skier and does not have a rear view mirror?

A. An observer at least 13 years of age to observe the progress of the person being towed

What is indicated by a white marker with an orange crossed diamond and black lettering?

D. Danger or hazard, such as rocks

According to Texas law, what age person must be supervised by a person 18 years of age or older on board the vessel in order to operate a personal watercraft?

B. Those less than 13 years of age

According to Texas law, during what hours is it legal to tow a person behind a boat on water skis or other device?

C. Between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset

According to Texas law, during what hours is it illegal to operate a personal watercraft?

D. Between one after sunset and one hour before sunrise

According to Texas law, children under what age must wear a USCG-approved PFD (life jacket) while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long?

C. Those under 13 years of age

What determines if a speed is safe for your boat?

C. Visibilty conditions

What should the operators of a PWC and a motorboat do when approaching head-on?

A. Both vessels should turn to starboard (right)

Type 1 PFD

Offshore for rough remote waters

most buoyant

will turn unconscious face up

Type 2 PFD

Near shore

quick rescue likely

may not turn person face up

Type 3 PFD

worn when freedom of movement is needed and risk of falling overboard is present

worn when operational and underway

will not turn someone face up

rides up on wearer in water

Type 4 PFD

throwable device such as ring buoy - boating

Type 5 PFD

special use - whitewater rafting etc

Rules for towing a skier

Vessels towing persons may not come within 100 feet of any occupied anchored boat, any PWC, or any marked swimming area or public boat landing.

Persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis, a surfboard, or other device, or their towing rope, may not come within 100 feet of a PWC.

It is illegal to operate the vessel or manipulate the towing rope, water skis, or other devices such that the towed device or person collides with any other person or object.

Bouy markings

Square: Information

Diamond: Danger

Circle: Controlled area

Crossed Diamon: off limits area

When should you report a boating accident

Within 48 hours if the person dies, goes missing, or requires outside medical attention

Within 10 days other wise

Inboard Engine

Mounted inside the hull's midsection or in front of the transom

Outboard Engine

An outboard is a portable, self-contained package of an engine, gear case, and propeller that is attached to the transom of a boat.

Legal hours to operate a powerboat

All hours but is recommended during daylight